I found it, sure enough, and was about to return, when I saw a figure that seemed to emerge from the crater itself.

The air there was so pestiferous that I could not have conceived a human creature could breathe it, and live.

I was so astounded that I stood still as a stone, till the figure came over the hot ashes, and stood before me, face to face.

Santa Maria, what a head!" "What! hideous ?" "No; so beautiful, but so terrible.

It had nothing human in its aspect." "And what said the salamander ?" "Nothing! It did not even seem to perceive me, though I was near as I am to you; but its eyes seemed to emerge prying into the air.